FOOD CHEMISTRY
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2025
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IF 9.8
JinTao He,Qiong Peng,JingJing Wang,Jing Deng,Wen Li,QinLu Lin,FeiFei Zhong,Xu Xia
Improper storage methods cause food resources to be wasted, and the development of multifunctional intelligent packaging can realize freshness monitoring and extend the shelf life. In this study, an intelligent alizarin/thymol-loaded polycaprolactone/gelatin/zein nanofibrous film was prepared and achieved the dual functions of pH-responsive and antibacterial properties. The film was fabricated using electrospun technology and characterized by SEM, FT-IR, WCA, TGA, DSC, and mechanical property tests, which had good antioxidant properties (81.40 ± 0.74 % free radical scavenging). The film could effectively inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , and Shewanella putrefaciens within 12 h and exhibited light yellow-light purple-dark purple color change at pH 2–12, with good color stability and color responsiveness to ammonia in the environment. In the shrimp application, shelf life was extended by 2 days and freshness could be monitored by the color change. This scientific research opens up new possibilities for realizing multifunctional food packaging alternatives.
研究领域:
食品科学
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材料科学
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生物技术
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包装工程
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高影响因子
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
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2026
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IF 8.8
Yunge Zhang,Mi Li,Yuanchang Cao,Jian Ju,Qingmin Chen,Yanli Ma,Cuicui Li
Novel biodegradable bilayer film with unidirectional release. • PLA/ZnO/MgO outer layer improves barrier and UV-blocking. • Inner gelatin/EUG-THY layer ensures long-term antimicrobial activity. Fresh cucumbers are highly perishable due to moisture loss, microbial infection, and oxidative deterioration. In this study, a biodegradable bilayer active packaging film with unidirectional release was developed for cucumber preservation. The outer PLA layer was reinforced with 2 wt% of a 1:1 ZnO/MgO nanoparticle mixture, exhibiting enhanced hydrophobicity, mechanical strength (tensile strength 62.75 MPa), reduced water vapor permeability (88.7 g/m 2 ·24 h), and excellent UV-blocking. The inner layer was prepared by electrospinning gelatin loaded with 0.2–0.4 wt% eugenol (EUG) and thymol (THY). Unidirectional release evaluation showed that >92% of EUG and THY were released toward the food simulant via a non-Fickian diffusion mechanism ( n = 0.54–0.57). The films exhibited concentration-dependent antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. During 21 days of storage at 4 °C, cucumbers packaged with the EUG/THY-loaded bilayer films showed significantly lower weight loss, reduced color deterioration, and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities. The 0.4% EUG/THY formulation extended cucumber shelf life to 18–20 days. This bilayer design offers a promising strategy for eco-friendly active packaging with unidirectional release for fresh produce preservation. Download: Download high-res image (174KB) Download: Download full-size image
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POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
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2023
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IF 7
Peng Huang,Jie Ding,Chunyan Liu,Hongying Li,Chenlin Wang,Yezi Lin,Dur E. Sameen,Md Alomgir Hossen,Mingrui Chen,Jing Yan,Yaowen Liu,Wen Qin
Softening is one of the crucial factors causing the deterioration of postharvest fruit quality. In this study, the effects of konjac glucomannan/low-acyl gellan gum/microcapsule of thymol (TKL) coating on the storage characteristics, the ultrastructure of cell wall and transcription expression of pectin-related metabolism of blueberries fruits during low-temperature storage were investigated. TKL coating suppressed the expression of pectin-related enzymes disassembly ( VaPE 2 , VaPE 3 , VaPG 3 , VaPL 2 and Vaβ-Gal 2 ), reduced the activity of cell wall polysaccharide degrading enzymes (PG, PE , PL , β-Gal, α-Man, α-Af, Xth, β-Xyl, Cx, β-Glu), maintained the normal morphological structure and stability of cell wall, and prolonged the shelf life of blueberries fruits. Overall, TKL is a promising coating that can effectively maintain the firmness, inhibit the postharvest softening and prolong the shelf life of the blueberries during storage period.
研究领域:
食品科学
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植物生理学
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EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS AND BIOPHARMACEUTICS
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2025
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IF 4.3
Linrong Yu,Yunchun Pan,Qingqian Meng,Xianggen Wu,Mengshuang Li
Antibiotic abuse in livestock and poultry farming poses significant threats to human health, including the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. Thus, antibiotic alternatives are highly required in this field. Thymol (THY) demonstrates significant potential as an antibiotic alternative, but its commercial application is limited due to its high volatility and low water solubility. In this study, a novel nanoformulation of pro-phytomicelles, with glycyrrhizin and rebaudioside A as mixed-nanocarriers that load THY (called “THY@pro-phytomicelles”), was designed and tested as a potent antibiotic alternative. The optimized THY@pro-phytomicelles had an encapsulation efficiency of 99.75 ± 0.37 % and a particle size of 3.83 ± 0.44 nm after they were dispersed in water. Following THY’s formulation into THY@pro-phytomicelles, its water solubility, volatility stability, and antioxidant activity significantly improved. In vitro, the THY@pro-phytomicelles showed better antimicrobial activity than THY. Their antibacterial mechanism appeared to involve destruction of the integrity of the bacterial cell wall and biomembrane, leading to alkaline phosphatase (AKP) leakage and inhibition of biofilm formation. In the animal evaluation in this study, they showed excellent in vivo antibacterial capacities against Salmonella enteritidis -induced enteritis, including improvement of the liver bacterial abscess, alleviation of the oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine levels, reduction of the bacterial load of the liver, and alleviation of the inflammation and damage caused by bacteria in the cecum. Overall, the THY@pro-phytomicelles showed excellent in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity, making them a potentially effective antibiotic alternative in livestock and poultry farming, with broad potential application in the breeding industry.
研究领域:
畜牧学
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药剂学
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微生物学
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CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
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2025
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IF 12.5
Huihui Li,Shunchang Wang,Jin Chen,Mengchu Sun,Hongjin Tang
Polysaccharide-protein-based composite films are promising for food packaging, but interfacial incompatibility between hydrophilic biopolymers and hydrophobic proteins limits their use. In this study, a new thymol-loaded zeolitic imidazolate framework-8/κ-carrageenan/Zein composite film was developed for blueberry preservation. The film exhibited excellent physical properties with a thickness of 0.052 ± 0.0001 mm, a high tensile strength of 40.631 ± 1.527 MPa, an elongation at break of 21.223 ± 1.018 %, and a reduced water vapor permeability of (0.764 ± 0.166) × 10 −8 kg·m·m −2 ·s −1 ·Pa −1 . The incorporation of thymol and ZIF-8 improved the film's microstructure and interfacial compatibility between κ-carrageenan and Zein. Thymol release was pH-dependent and sustained with a cumulative release of 91.959 ± 0.454 % over 36 h at pH 4.5. Biological testing revealed significant antibacterial properties with survival rates of 0.002 ± 0.002 % against Staphylococcus aureus and 5.973 ± 0.307 % against Escherichia coli , and antioxidant capacity with DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging rates of 75.60 ± 0.53 % and 61.49 ± 1.19 %, respectively. The film showed good biodegradability and extended blueberry shelf life by 9 days. This composite film offers enhanced mechanical properties, controlled release, and bioactivity, showing great potential as active food packaging for fruit preservation.
研究领域:
食品科学
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材料科学
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FOOD CHEMISTRY
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2025
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IF 9.8
Jinghe Sun,Weiyun Zheng,Xiaoyan Wang,Yimeng Li,Jingfeng Yang
The freshness in A. japonicus after thymol treatment was tested. The results showed that sensory scores in thymol group significantly increased 14.83 and 21.67 compared to the Frozen and BK groups after storage. Texture parameters showed that hardness, springiness, and chewiness of body wall treated with thymol were 2.56, 1.21, and 2.02 folds that of the BK group, respectively. Volatile flavor results revealed 38 flavor substances and 33 volatile organic compounds in the body wall. Aldehydes, alcohols, heterocycles, and alkane were the key sources to odor components of A. japonicus , including nonanal, hexanal, 1-octanol, 1-hexanol, d -limonene, and 2-methylbutyl acetate. Moreover, heptenoic acid, dimethyl disulfide, and dimethylamine, as distinct volatile flavor substances, were the main contributors of fishy, malodorous, and spicy smells of autolysis A. japonicus . This study guides the potential use of thymol in sea cucumber preservation and seeks the spoiled flavor markers for non-destructive rapid testing technology development.
研究领域:
食品科学
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海洋生物学
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ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
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2016
·Vol. 409
·期 6
·1615-1625
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IF 3.125
Wang Lang-Hong,Zhang Zhi-Hong,Zeng Xin-An,Gong De-Ming,Wang Man-Sheng
Thymol (2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol) is a natural ingredient used as flavor or preservative agent in food products. The antibacterial mechanism of thymol against Gram-positive, Staphylococcus aureus was investigated in this work. A total of 15 membrane fatty acids were identified in S. aureus cells by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Exposure to thymol at low concentrations induced obvious alterations in membrane fatty acid composition, such as decreasing the proportion of branched 12-methyltetradecanoic acid and 14-methylhexadecanoic acid (from 22.4 and 17.3% to 7.9 and 10.3%, respectively). Membrane permeability assay and morphological image showed that thymol at higher concentrations disrupted S. aureus cell membrane integrity, which may decrease cell viability. Moreover, the interaction of thymol with genomic DNA was also investigated using multi-spectroscopic techniques, docking and atomic force microscopy. The results indicated that thymol bound to the minor groove of DNA with binding constant ( K
a ) value of (1.22 ± 0.14) × 10 4 M −1 , and this binding interaction induced a mild destabilization in the DNA secondary structure, and made DNA molecules to be aggregated.
Thymol exerts its antibacterial effect throught destruction of bacterial cell membrane and binding directly to genomic DNA
研究领域:
微生物学
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分子生物学
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药理学
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Journal of Analytical Methods in Chemistry
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2021
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IF 2.193
Guanjun Nan,Lina Zhang,Zhengzheng Liu,Yu Liu,Yan Du,Hongwen Zhao,Hongxia Zheng,Rong Lin,Guangde Yang,Shaohua Zheng
Eupatorium fortunei Turcz. is a widely used Chinese herbal medicine in China. In this study, a gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated to simultaneously determine the contents of p-cymene, thymol, neryl acetate, and β-caryophyllene in roots, stems, and leaves of Eupatorium fortunei Turcz. harvested at different growth periods. All four constituents could be detected in leaves, three could be detected in stems except β-caryophyllene, and only thymol could be detected in roots. The order of the total contents of four constituents in different parts was leaves > stems > roots. It indicated that the leaves could be the proper medicinal parts of Eupatorium fortunei Turcz. The content of four constituents in leaves varied a lot among different growth periods and showed an M-shaped change trend with the growth of Eupatorium fortunei Turcz. The four constituents accumulated to the highest values in early July followed by mid-September. Accordingly, the best harvest time of Eupatorium fortunei Turcz. is early July and mid-September.
研究领域:
药用植物学
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分析化学
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植物科学
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MOLECULES
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2021
·Vol. 26
·期 23
·7140
·
IF 4.412
Jingwen Chen,Yinxuan Li,Wenzheng Shi,Hui Zheng,Li Wang,Li Li
This study aimed to develop an active biodegradable bilayer film and to investigate the release behaviors of active compounds into different food matrices. Cinnamaldehyde (CI) or thymol (Ty) was encapsulated inβ-cyclodextrin (β-CD) to prepare the activeβ-CD inclusion complex (β-CD-CI/β-CD-Ty). The tilapia fish gelatin-sodium alginate composite (FGSA) containingβ-CD-CI orβ-CD-Ty was coated on the surface of PLA film to obtain the active bilayer film. Different food simulants including liquid food simulants (water, 3% acetic acid, 10% ethanol, and 95% ethanol), solid dry food simulant (modified polyphenylene oxide (Tenax TA)), and the real food (Japanese sea bass) were selected to investigate the release behaviors of bilayer films into different food matrixes. The results showed that the preparedβ-CD inclusion complexes distributed evenly in the cross-linking structure of FGSA and improved the thickness and water contact angle of the bilayer films. Active compounds possessed the lowest release rates in Tenax TA, compared to the release to liquid simulants and sea bass. CI and Ty sustained the release to the sea bass matrix with a similar behavior to the release to 95% ethanol. The bilayer film containingβ-CD-Ty exhibited stronger active antibacterial and antioxidant activities, probably due to the higher release efficiency of Ty in test mediums.Keywords:biodegradable bilayer film;tilapia fish gelatin;β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex;release kinetics;food simulants;active activities
研究领域:
食品科学
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材料科学
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Food Packaging and Shelf Life
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2021
·
IF 6.429
Yanyi Wen,Jia Liu,Lei Jiang,Zhongjie Zhu,Suirui He,Shu He,Wei Shao
An intelligent and active film was developed based on 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)-oxidized bacterial cellulose (TOBC) containing thymol (THY) and anthocyanin-rich purple potato extract (ANT). The microstructure, thermal stability, water vapor permeability, mechanical property and UV protection performance of TOBC-based films were evaluated. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) results show the additions of THY and ANT bring about the uneven distribution of TOBC fibers with slightly increased surface roughness . Meanwhile, the introduction of THY and ANT could increase the thermal stability, UV protection and water vapor barrier property of TOBC with slightly decreased tensile strength . The prepared ANT exhibits a pH-sensitive activity, and it endows the fabricated TOBC/THY/ANT film with colorimetric response ability to volatile ammonia. TOBC/THY/ANT film also exhibits good antibacterial and antioxidant activities . Particular finding is that TOBC/THY/ANT film possesses simultaneously freshness real-time monitoring and good shrimp preservation abilities. The antioxidant, antibacterial and color response performances of TOBC/THY/ANT film were measured for three cycles in order to prove its recycling ability. These unique features of TOBC/THY/ANT film demonstrate the potential in commercial shrimp packaging with freshness real-time monitoring.
研究领域:
食品科学
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材料科学
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FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
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2026
·
IF 13.8
Liling Fu,Jiming Cheng,Xinhui Xu,Yanan Ren,Conghe Zhang,Wei Yang,Guixiang Zhou,Tian Xu,Changhong Liu,Lei Zheng
Three benzoic-type phenolic acids were covalently grafted onto HAMS via esterification. • Bioactivities followed a hydroxyl-dependent ranking: Ga-HAMS > Da-HAMS > Ph-HAMS. • LF-NMR/MRI showed uniform water distribution in modified emulsion gels. • Ga-HAMS active coating significantly extends strawberry shelf life at 25 °C. Three benzoic-type phenolic acids with progressively increasing hydroxyl substitution ( p -hydroxybenzoic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and gallic acid) were covalently grafted onto native high-amylose maize starch (Na-HAMS) via EDC·HCl/DMAP-mediated esterification, yielding Ph-HAMS, Da-HAMS, and Ga-HAMS at a grafting ratio of approximately 12%. Successful esterification at the C-6 primary hydroxyl groups was confirmed by FTIR, UV-Vis, XPS, and NMR analyses. Phenolic acid grafting significantly enhanced surface hydrophobicity and conferred marked antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, both following a consistent structure-dependent ranking of Ga-HAMS > Da-HAMS > Ph-HAMS, reflecting differences in phenolic hydroxyl number and ortho-cooperative configuration. Thymol-loaded emulsion gels were subsequently constructed using each modified starch as an emulsifier combined with an agarose network. Compared with Na-HAMS, modified starch-based emulsion gels exhibited substantially improved emulsifying activity, reduced droplet size, and enhanced thymol loading efficiency (∼30% to 92%), along with superior physical stability. Rheological analysis confirmed elasticity-dominated viscoelastic behavior ( G ′ > G ″) stable across 20-90 °C, while LF-NMR and MRI revealed more homogeneous internal water distribution within the modified gel matrices. Based on a comprehensive performance evaluation, Ga-HAMS emulsion gel was applied as an active coating for strawberry preservation at 25 °C. Compared with control and Na-HAMS groups, Ga-HAMS coating effectively suppressed microbial growth, reduced decay and weight loss, and better maintained firmness, color, and soluble solids. LF-NMR and MRI further confirmed the preservation of cellular water compartmentalization. This work systematically elucidates the structure-activity relationships of benzoic-type phenolic acid-grafted HAMS and provides a theoretical basis for polysaccharide-based active emulsion gels in postharvest fruit preservation. Download: Download high-res image (362KB) Download: Download full-size image
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Journal of Advanced Research
·
2026
·
IF 17.1
Zi-An Deng,Yibo Liu,Wenjing Shi,Jiayue Jin,Fengjun Guo,Di Wu,Qingjun Liu,Saowapa Chaiwong,Kunsong Chen
Introduction Developing advanced functional composites by integrating metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with polymeric nanofibers are important research in materials science. This strategy of incorporating MOFs into polymeric nanofibers offers a promising route to fabricate multifunctional materials with controlled release and antimicrobial capabilities. However, most existing MOFs are metal-based, which poses potential metal ion leaching risks in food-contact scenarios; besides, achieving uniform MOF dispersion in polymeric matrices and enabling scalable fabrication of such composite nanofibers remain challenges. Objectives The present study aimed to develop a novel and scalable fabrication platform for food-grade MOF-nanofiber composites by integrating γ-cyclodextrin metal–organic frameworks (γ-CD-MOFs) with rapid microfluidic-blow-spinning (MBS). Methods γ-CD-MOF was synthesized using γ-cyclodextrin as a biomolecular ligand, followed by adsorption of thymol (THY) through electrostatic interactions. Molecular docking was conducted to elucidate the encapsulation and stabilization mechanisms. The THY-loaded γ-CD-MOF was incorporated into polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers via MBS to produce THY@γ-CD-MOF/PCL nanofiber films. Their physicochemical properties, mechanical performance, sustain release behavior, antimicrobial activity, biocompatibility, and preservation efficacy in fresh-cut fruits were evaluated. Results γ-CD-MOF achieved 78.3 % THY encapsulation. Docking revealed hydrogen bonding between the phenolic hydroxyl group of THY and hydroxyl groups of dual γ-CD units (1.781 Å), shorter than typical hydrogen bonds (∼3.5 Å), contributing to complex stability. MOFs were well-dispersed, and their incorporation enhanced the thermal stability, mechanical strength, and hydrophilicity of the nanofibers. The nanofiber films exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, sustained THY release at 4 °C and 25°C, and good biocompatibility, effectively suppressing browning and firmness loss in fresh-cut apples. Conclusion The MBS-based platform enabled efficient fabrication of active food-grade γ-CD-MOF-loaded nanofiber preservation materials. THY encapsulation via hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions provided sustained release and antimicrobial functionality, significantly extending the freshness of fresh-cut apples.
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